Plan of 1000 Days to target 600 millions in Latin America

WINNIPEG, MAN.

Winnipeg-based MB Communications' Family Life Network is spearheading and co-sponsoring the Canadian partner portion in Plan of 1000 Days. This campaign is set to run between Apr. 4, 1998 and Dec. 31, 2000 in 26 countries in 300 cities in Latin America, exposing an estimated 600 million people to the gospel.

To accomplish this, media ministries, local churches and Latin American mass media outlets are coordinating their activities for this evangelistic thrust. The plan was launched in Latin America in April in nearly 50 cities simultaneously where people gathered in large stadiums to pray and fast for a continent-wide revival. These cities were linked with the rest of Latin America by a network of 100 television and cable TV stations, 60 radio stations, and live video and audio on the Internet. This network stands as the largest ever assembled for an event in Latin America claim the planners.

The Plan of 1000 Days originated with a confederation of Christian broadcasters in Latin America known as COICOM. Members include Campus Crusade for Christ; Assembly of God; Sal y Luz, Bolivia; Enlace/Trinity Broadcast Network, Costa Rica; HCJB; The Voice of Salvation; Morris Cerullo Ministry; Family Life Network; Ecclesia; Colombia; CMC de Chile; Conela; AD 2000; Comibam and others.

Three separate strategies make up the plan. First, organizers hope to mobilize the church through prayer and fasting. Many Latin American leaders are committed to praying and fasting for 40 days. Second, evangelism efforts will be intensified continent-wide as the first stage is implemented. Finally, the church will be prepared to follow up after the initial evangelism is completed.

Inspiration for the plan came from II Chronicles 7:14, noted Delbert Enns, Family Life Network associate director and secretary of Plan of 1000 Days. "There God says `If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.' That is what we expect to accomplish in Latin America where forgiveness and healing are badly needed."

Funding for the plan is estimated to reach $52 million US. Many of the participating agencies are committing portions of their budgets towards this goal. An intensive fundraising effort is also underway in both North and South America.

Family Life Network, with its radio program, Encuento, is organizing Honduras, and participating with Campus Crusade for Christ in organizing Venezula to prepare for the upcoming campaign. Of the 45 Christian radio stations in Honduras, Encuentro airs on 42 of them. Family Life Network's radio programs air on about 10% of the total Christian radio stations worldwide, and it has produced a video on Plan of 1000 Days for general release.

Church, business and political leaders are united around the Plan of 1000 Days to make it a success. -- FAMILY LIFE NETWORK